Tread for draft-animals.



J. H. DOLAN.

TREAD FOR DRAFT ANIMALS.

APPLICATION r1150 JAN. 19. 1915.

1,153,8M. PatentedSept. 14, 1915.

um/boa I @FFTUE.

JAMES HUGH DOLAN, 0F LEE,.MASSACHUSETTS.

TREAD FOR DRAFT-ANIMALS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMns H. DOLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lee, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Treads for Draft-Animals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in treads for draft animals, such as horses, or the like, for preventing them from slipping upon bad roads.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which are simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and possesses the maximum gripping action with the road or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying my invention, showing the same in use, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame for the tread chain, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus, and, Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of a portion of a chain tread, showing the manner in which the links are carried by the frame.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrationis shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a frame, formed of a section or sec tions of wire bent in the general shape of a horse-shoe, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

The numeral 6 designates a tread chain, embodying links 7. The links are loosely mounted upon the frame 5 and are arranged more or less transversely thereof in a staggered relation, thus enabling them to have the maximum grip action.

The device is held upon the hoof, beneath and in engagement with a hose-shoe 8, by suspension members 9 and 10. The suspension members 10 have lower hooked ends 11, pivotally engaging with certain of the links 6 and are provided at their upper ends with loop-heads 12, as shown. A connecting link 13 has hooks 14:, engaging with'the l0opheads 12, and carries a protecting sleeve 13, formed of rubber or the like. A strap 15 'or Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 14:, 1915.

Application filed January 19, 1915. .Serial no. 3,136.

other flexibleelement engageswith the oppositesides of the loop-heads 12, as shown.

This strap is adjustable and is provided with a buckle 16, for that purpose. The suspension member 9 is provided at its lower end with hooks 17, for pivotal connection with certain of the links 6, and is bent at its upper end in the form of a hook 18 for detachable engagement with the forward portion of the strap 15. The suspenslon member 9 is arranged to straddle the toe of the hore-shoe 8.

. In use, the device is secured to the horseshoe as illustrated in Fig. 1. The links 6 which are loosely carried upon the frame 5 being arranged in more or less transverse staggered relation therewith, engage with the ice or road thus providing a secure grip, and preventing slipping of the animal. It is obvious that the device may be readily removed from the shoe by undoing the buckle 16, to remove the strap 15.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A. shoe tread for draft animals, comprising a tread chain conforming generally to the shape of the hoof of the animal, a rod conforming generally to the shape of the hoof of the animal and threaded through the linksof the tread chain whereby said links are loosely mounted thereon and extend more or less transversely thereof in staggered relation, and means to secure the device upon the hoof.

2. A tread for draft animals, comprising a frame conforming generally to the shape of the hoof of the animal, a tread chain embodying links loosely mounted upon the frame and extending more or less transversely of the frame in staggered relation, a flexible member adapted to encircle the hoof above the frame, and suspension members connecting the frame and the flexible member.

3. A tread for draft animals, comprising a frame conforming generally to the shape of the hoof of the animal, a tread chain embodying links loosely mounted upon the gage with the forward portion of the hoof 10 frame, a suspension member connected With and with the forward suspension member.

T certain of the links at the forward end of In testimony whereof I aflix my signature the frame, spaced suspension members c'onin presence of two Witnesses.

1 5 nected with the links at the rear end of the frame, a connecting link secured to the rear JAMES HUGH DOLAN' suspension members, and a longitudinally Witnesses:

adjustable flexible member connecting the FRANK H. BROWN,

rear suspension members and adapted to en- RAYMOND H. KELLY.

'Gopiesof th'ispatentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. V 

